Are you an experienced leader with a passion for inclusion? Do you want to make a real difference to the lives of young people in a thriving, supportive secondary school? Whickham School is a highly successful comprehensive school. We pride ourselves on our diversity and inclusive culture. We are seeking an outstanding individual to join our senior leadership team as an Assistant Headteacher for Inclusion. You will provide strategic leadership for inclusion across the school, ensuring that all pupils, particularly those with SEND and those eligible for pupil premium, are fully supported to succeed both academically and personally.
Responsibilities
* Lead and implement a clear, ambitious whole-school inclusion strategy, shaping provision in line with national developments and reforms in SEND and inclusion
* Be accountable for the outcomes of SEND and disadvantaged pupils
* Line manage the SENDCo and wider inclusion team, ensuring high-quality provision and support
* Oversee and drive the school's pupil premium strategy, ensuring measurable and sustained impact
* Lead staff training and development to embed inclusive, adaptive teaching across the school
* Work in close partnership with pastoral, safeguarding and curriculum leaders to ensure a cohesive approach to supporting vulnerable pupils, Champion inclusion – create a culture where every pupil feels seen, supported and able to succeed
* Drive outcomes – ensure that SEND and disadvantaged pupils make strong academic progress and achieve well
* Lead strategically – develop, implement and evaluate a cohesive inclusion strategy aligned with whole-school priorities
* Develop provision – ensure high-quality, evidence-informed support for pupils with additional needs, including those with SEND and SEMH needs
* Empower staff – build staff confidence and expertise in adaptive teaching through high-quality CPD and coaching
* Strengthen systems – ensure robust identification, monitoring and intervention processes for vulnerable pupils
* Work collaboratively – build strong relationships with families, external agencies and stakeholders to secure the best outcomes for pupils
* Ensure accountability – use data intelligently to evaluate impact and drive continuous improvement
Qualifications
* Experience of leading inclusion and/or SEND provision in a secondary setting, or other relevant leadership experience
* Strong understanding of statutory frameworks, including the SEND Code of Practice and safeguarding responsibilities
* Experience in successfully leading and developing a team
* Experience of working with external agencies and leading multi‑agency support for vulnerable pupils
* A passion for developing others and building leadership capacity
* A track record of excellent teaching, with evidence of strong student progress and outcomes
* A deep understanding of adaptive teaching and how to support vulnerable learners to succeed
* Strong understanding of curriculum, assessment and the effective use of data to drive improvement
* A commitment to evidence-informed practice and continuous professional developmentQualified Teacher Status and a degree in a relevant subject
Personal Qualities
* You are committed to inclusion and providing the best possible learning experience for vulnerable learners
* You understand that great teaching is built on relationships, high expectations, and relentless focus on progress
* You're reflective, solution-focused and committed to continuous improvement
* You can inspire and motivate both students and staff
* You're committed to upholding our school values and creating an inclusive learning environment for all learners
Whilst we are a high-performing school (Progress 8 of +0.26 in 2024 and 82% achieving grade 4+ in English and Maths in 2025), we are about much more than our academic performance. We are a community that values all of our stakeholders, recognising that our staff make the difference for our pupils. We therefore invest in our staff in a number of ways.
Work‑Life Balance Support
* Reduced teaching hours to support planning and professional development
* Dedicated collaborative planning time – at least one hour every fortnight for each teacher to meet with their subject team to talk through upcoming learning episodes
* Flexible approach to work‑life balance considerations
* Access to fitness facilities outside school hours
Growth and Development
We invest in your growth: Join our established Leadership Group to shape whole‑school practice. Meaningful leadership development opportunities, including access to NPQ programmes and specialist courses. Evidence-based CPD that makes a real difference to your practice. Coaching and mentoring support to help you thrive.
Practical Benefits
* Salary sacrifice schemes including bicycle and electric vehicle leasing
* Higher priority for your children's admission to our heavily oversubscribed school
* Modern facilities with the latest display technology in every classroom
* Supportive, collaborative staff community
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